Maria Tocco
The Providence Flea, LLC
Maria Tocco is a native Rhode Islander and former communications professional with 30 years of experience in the private and nonprofit sectors, and city and state government. She is also a small businesswoman and the founder of the award-winning community market Providence Flea, now in its eighth season. She is a past RISBJ Small Business Woman of the Year, and a graduate of programs including Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Leadership RI, the Center for Women and Enterprise, URI Master Gardeners, and Dartmouth College's Rassias Center. She has a degree in Business Administration from Boston College Carroll School of Management and lives in Warwick with her wife Laura of 17 years, their cat Ginger, and Malti-poo Happy.
Quick Six Q&A
What is your hometown?
Cranston
What is your favorite spot in RI?
Little Compton
What is your favorite RI restaurant?
The Boathouse, Tiverton
What is your favorite RI beach?
Goosewing
What is your favorite RI delicacy?
White pizza strips
What do you love most about RI?
I love its small size and its big heart. I love its diversity and its oneness. I love that I can be in the city, at a farm, or on a beach all within an hour's drive. I love its top-notch restaurants and its thriving arts scene. I love the sense of community here. And I especially love Rhode Island summers because I love being near the ocean. With 400 miles of coastline and literally more public beaches than days of summer, I can find no good reason to be anywhere else between June and September!